Shower Sandal with Integrated Foot Cleaners, Massagers, and Exfoliators

ABSTRACT

A shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators includes a sole, a medial sidewall, a lateral sidewall, a bridge, and a plurality of bristles. The sole that rest underneath the user&#39;s foot includes a forefoot section, a midfoot section, and a hindfoot section. The medial sidewall and the lateral sidewall are oppositely positioned of each other across the hindfoot section. The medial sidewall is terminally connected onto the hindfoot section. The lateral sidewall is terminally connected onto the hindfoot section. The bridge is positioned across the forefoot section and terminally connected to the forefoot section. The plurality of bristles is adjacently connected to the sole, the medial sidewall, the lateral sidewall, and the bridge so that the plurality of bristles can clean, massage, and exfoliate the user&#39;s foot.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/841,072 filed on Apr. 30, 2019.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to feet hygiene apparatuses and the like. More specifically, the present invention is a shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In present society, many individuals rely on devices and equipment that make it easier for an individual to maintain their own feet hygiene without the assistance of another individual. There are non-electronic devices for use in showers and tubs that can allow the user to clean their foot without having to bend down to their feet or without having to raise their foot while struggling to maintain balance on a single foot and thus risk injury due to falling. However, these devices only serve singular purposes of foot scrubbing and do not combine other necessary functions needed to maintain foot hygiene, such as exfoliation. Also, the current devices do not appear to combine therapeutic massaging benefits within their apparatus. Additionally, these devices do not provide adequate drainage of the water; thus, resulting in sitting pools of water on the floor base of many of these devices which can be unhygienic for the foot cleaning process. Finally, many of these devices do not combine within the devices a convenient means of distributing soap or similar product to the foot while the foot is occupied within most of these devices.

An objective of the present invention is to provide users with a device that can be a combination of foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators. The present invention intends to provide users with a device that can combine cleaning, massaging, and exfoliating benefits within a singular foot hygiene apparatus. The present invention intends to provide users with a foot hygiene apparatus that can provide adequate drainage or flow of water to prevent pooling of water from accumulating on the sole of the device. The present invention intends to provide users with a reservoir of soap or similar items to the user's foot without the need for the user to remove the foot from the device. The present invention intends to provide users with a device that can enhance the luxurious experience of foot hygiene for the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the present invention, showing the plane upon which a cross sectional view is taken shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the present invention taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the present invention, showing the plane upon which a cross sectional view is taken shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a cross section view of the present invention taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators. It is preferred that the present invention be of a material that is strong, durable, easily cleanable, hygienic, lightweight, anti-fungal or fungal-resistant, water resistant or repellant, comfortable-to-the-touch, and/or easily manufacturable. It is also preferred that the present invention be of a general shape and/or size similar to the general shape and/or size of a user's foot as the present invention can be worn by the left foot or the right foot. The present invention comprises a sole 1, a medial sidewall 11, a lateral sidewall 13, a bridge 15, and a plurality of bristles 20 as shown in FIG. 1-2. The sole 1 comprising a forefoot section 2, a midfoot section 3, and a hindfoot section 4 that are generally associated with a specific sections of the user's foot and shown within FIG. 3.

In reference to the general configuration of the present invention, the forefoot section 2 and the hind foot section are positioned opposite of each other about the midfoot section 3 thus delineating the general shape of the sole 1. The sole 1 provides the underneath coverage for user's foot and functions as the base for the rest of the components of the present invention. The medial sidewall 11 and the lateral sidewall 13 are oppositely positioned of each other across the hindfoot section 4 so that the present invention is able to provide coverage for the lateral side 6 and the medial side 5 of the user's foot. More specifically, the medial sidewall 11 is terminally connected onto the midfoot section 3 and the hindfoot section 4. The lateral sidewall 13 is terminally connected onto the midfoot section 3 and the hindfoot section 4. The bridge 15 is positioned across the forefoot section 2 and shaped as a curved section so that the user can place their foot within the sole 1 and the bridge 15. More specifically, the bridge 15 is terminally connected to the forefoot section 2 thus providing coverage for the bridge 15 side of the user's foot. The plurality of bristles 20 is adjacently connected to the sole 1, the medial sidewall 11, the lateral sidewall 13, and the bridge 15 so that the cleaning, massaging, and exfoliating aspect of the present invention can be accomplished.

In reference to FIG. 3, the sole 1 further comprises a medial side 5, a lateral side 6, an upper surface 7, a bottom surface 8, a rear end 9, and a front end 10. The forefoot section 2 is positioned towards the front end 10 of the sole 1 so that the user's toe can be supported. The hindfoot section 4 is positioned towards the rear end 9 of the sole 1 so that the user's heel can be supported. The midfoot section 3 is positioned in between the forefoot section 2 and the hindfoot section 4 so that the user's arch can be supported. The upper surface 7 is extended along the sole 1 so that the user's foot can rest upon. The bottom surface 8 is extended along the sole 1 and positioned opposite of the upper surface 7 to provide a ground contact surface.

In reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 7-8, the medial sidewall 11 is positioned atop the upper surface 7 and adjacent to the medial side 5. It is preferred that the medial sidewall 11 be of a variable height such that the medial sidewall 11 starts about the midfoot section 3 and extends into the hindfoot section 4. For example, the medial sidewall 11 is preferably formed into a wave shape as the height of the medial sidewall 11 increases from the midfoot section 3 to a peak. Then, the height of the medial sidewall 11 decreases from the peak and ends with the rear end 9.

In reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5-6, the lateral sidewall 13 is positioned atop the upper surface 7 and adjacent to the lateral side 6. It is preferred that the lateral sidewall 13 be of a variable height such that the lateral sidewall 13 starts about the midfoot section 3 and extends into the hindfoot section 4. For example, the lateral sidewall 13 is preferably formed into a wave shape as the height of the lateral sidewall 13 increases from the midfoot section 3 to a peak. Then, the height of the lateral sidewall 13 decreases from the peak and ends with the rear end 9.

In reference to FIG. 3, the bridge 15 is preferably a semi-circular body that is terminally connected onto the upper surface 7. The overall height of the bridge 15, the clearance between the bridge 15 and the sole 1, is delineated in such way that the user could insert and pass a majority of their foot through the underside the bridge 15. As a result, the bridge 15 extended from the lateral side 6 to the medial side 5 thus generally covering the forefoot section 2.

The plurality of bristles 20 is pressed against the user's foot when the present invention is worn by the users. Resultantly, the plurality of bristles 20 can provide the cleaning, massaging, and exfoliating functionality of present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of bristles 20 comprises a set of sole bristles 21, a set of medial bristles 22, a set of lateral bristles 23, and a set of bridge bristles 24.

The set of sole bristles 21 is adjacently connected onto the upper surface 7 and oriented normal to the upper surface 7 as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 8. As a result, the set of sole bristles 21 is able to clean, massage, and exfoliate the underside of the user's foot due to the weight and the lateral movement of the user's foot.

The set of medial bristles 22 is adjacently connected onto an interior surface 12 of the medial sidewall 11 as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 8. The set of medial bristles 22 is oriented normal to the interior surface 12 of the medial sidewall 11 and towards the lateral sidewall 13. As a result, the set of medial bristles 22 is able to clean, massage, and exfoliate the medial side of the user's foot and the medial side of the user's ankle due to the lateral movement of the user's foot.

The set of lateral bristles 23 is adjacently connected onto an interior surface 14 of the lateral sidewall 13 as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6. The set of lateral bristles 23 is oriented normal to the interior surface 14 of the lateral sidewall 13 and towards the medial sidewall 11. As a result, the set of lateral bristles 23 is able to clean, massage, and exfoliate the lateral side of the user's foot and the lateral side of the user's ankle due to the lateral movement of the user's foot.

The set of bridge bristles 24 is adjacently connected onto an inner surface 17 of the bridge 15 as shown in FIG. 5. The set of bridge bristles 24 is oriented normal to the inner surface 17 of the bridge 15 and towards the sole 1. As a result, the set of lateral bristles 23 is able to clean, massage, and exfoliate the bridge side of the user's foot due to the lateral movement of the user's foot.

The present invention further comprises at least one medial exfoliator 26, at least one lateral exfoliator 27, and at least one rear exfoliator 25 so that the present invention can be used to exfoliate the opposite leg and foot area of the user. More specifically, the medial exfoliator 26 is externally connected onto the medial side 5 of the sole 1 and extended from the medial sidewall 11 to the bridge 15 as shown in FIG. 1-3. Preferably, the medial exfoliator 26 is an elongated body and provides a larger surface are so that the user can easily utilize the medial exfoliator 26 upon the opposite leg or foot area. The medial exfoliator 26 is selected from the group consisting of a hard abrasive exfoliator, a medium abrasive exfoliator, a soft abrasive exfoliator, and combination of thereof so that the medial exfoliator 26 can provide different textured surfaces for the user.

The lateral exfoliator 27 is externally connected onto the lateral side 6 of the sole 1 and extended from the lateral sidewall 13 to the bridge 15 as shown in FIG. 1-3. Preferably, the lateral exfoliator 27 is an elongated body and provides a larger surface area so that the user can easily utilize the lateral exfoliator 27 upon the opposite leg or foot area. The lateral exfoliator 27 is selected from the group consisting of a hard abrasive exfoliator, a medium abrasive exfoliator, a soft abrasive exfoliator, and combination of thereof so that the lateral exfoliator 27 can provide different textured surfaces for the user.

The rear exfoliator 25 is externally connected onto the rear end 9 of the sole 1 and extended from the lateral side 6 to the medial side 5 as shown in FIG. 1-3. Preferably, the rear exfoliator 25 is formed into a crescent-like shape thus providing maximum coverage. The rear exfoliator 25 is selected from the group consisting of a hard abrasive exfoliator, a medium abrasive exfoliator, a soft abrasive exfoliator, and combination of thereof so that the rear exfoliator 25 can provide different textured surfaces for the user. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one rear exfoliator 25 further comprises a medial rear exfoliator, a lateral rear exfoliator, and at least one intermediate exfoliator. The medial rear exfoliator is connected about the medial side 5 of the sole 1 and can function similar to the medial exfoliator 26. The lateral rear exfoliator is connected about the lateral side 6 of the sole 1 and can function similar to the lateral exfoliator 27. The intermediate exfoliator is connected around the rear end 9 of the sole 1 and positioned in between the medial rear exfoliator and the lateral rear exfoliator.

In reference to FIG. 3, the present invention further comprises a plurality of massaging mounts 28 that is specialized to massage the underside of the user's foot. More specifically, the plurality of massaging mounts 28 is interspaced within the set of sole bristles 21 and generally positioned about the midfoot section 3. The plurality of massaging mounts 28 is adjacently connected onto the upper surface 7 of the sole 1. Furthermore, a height of each massaging mount 28 is higher than a height of each sole bristle 21 thus allowing the plurality of massaging mounts 28 to reach and press against the arch section of the user's foot. Each of the plurality of massaging mounts 28 further comprises a plurality of features to further enhance the massaging aspect as the plurality of features can be bumps, protrusions, or any other similar types of structural elements.

In reference to FIGS. 6 and 8, the bridge 15 comprises an outer surface 16, the inner surface 17, a soap reservoir 18, and a plurality of dispensing channels 19. The soap reservoir 18 traverses into the bridge 15 from the outer surface 16 so that the present invention can temporally contain a quantity of liquid soap. It is preferred that a rim is perimetrically connected around a top edge the soap reservoir 18 to entrap and prevent the liquid soap from leaking or spilling for the bridge 15. The plurality of dispensing channels 19 traverses into the soap reservoir 18 from the inner surface 17 so that the plurality of dispensing channels 19 can be in fluid communication with the soap reservoir 18. As a result, the quantity of liquid soap that is stored within the soap reservoir 18 can be discharged onto the user's foot through the aid of gravity. The soap reservoir 18 provides an essential functionality to physically challenge and elderly people as they don't have to bend down to apply soap to their foot. Furthermore, the functionality of the soap reservoir 18 can be optimized through a foot operated soap dispensing pump or other similar type of soap dispensing apparatus.

The present invention further comprises a hanging body 29 as shown in FIG. 3. The hanging body 29 is laterally connected onto the front end 10 of the sole 1 such that the present invention could be hung from or suspended by the hanging body 29. For example, the hanging body 29 can be a U-shaped body or a hook that is terminally connected to the front end 10.

The present invention further comprises a plurality of suction cups 30 that is connected onto the bottom surface 8 of the sole 1 as shown in FIG. 4. The plurality of suction cups 30 provide a friction between the present invention and the ground surface thus eliminating the slippage of the present invention while providing the upmost balance when the present invention is employed by the user's foot. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the present invention can contain a plurality of non-slip features in lieu of the plurality of suction cups 30. Such non-slip features can include, but is not limited to, traction surfaces, friction surfaces, grooves, texturized surfaces, and/or other similar objects.

In an another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the set of sole bristles 21, the set of medial bristles 22, the set of lateral bristles 23, and the set of bridge bristles 24 can be respectively mounted or attached to the upper surface 7, the medial sidewall 11, the lateral sidewall 13, and the bridge 15. When the set of sole bristles 21, the set of medial bristles 22, the set of lateral bristles 23, and the set of bridge bristles 24 become nonfunctional and worn-out, they can be replaced within the present invention.

In an another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the set of sole bristles 21, the set of medial bristles 22, the set of lateral bristles 23, and the set of bridge bristles 24 can be integrated with color changing indicator features so that the user can be aware of the non-functional and worn-out bristles.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators comprising: a sole; a medial sidewall; a lateral sidewall; a bridge; a plurality of bristles; the sole comprising a forefoot section, a midfoot section, and a hindfoot section; the medial sidewall and the lateral sidewall being oppositely positioned of each other across the hindfoot section; the medial sidewall being terminally connected onto midfoot section and the hindfoot section; the lateral sidewall being terminally connected onto midfoot section and the hindfoot section; the bridge being positioned across the forefoot section; the bridge being terminally connected to the forefoot section; and the plurality of bristles being adjacently connected to the sole, the medial sidewall, the lateral sidewall, and the bridge.
 2. The shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the plurality of bristles comprising a set of sole bristles; the set of sole bristles being adjacently connected onto an upper surface of the sole; and the plurality of sole bristles being oriented normal to the upper surface.
 3. The shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the plurality of bristles comprising a set of medial bristles; the set of medial bristles being adjacently connected onto an interior surface of the medial sidewall; the set of medial bristles being oriented normal to the interior surface of the medial sidewall; and the set of medial bristles being oriented towards the lateral sidewall.
 4. The shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the plurality of bristles comprising a set of lateral bristles; the set of lateral bristles being adjacently connected onto an interior surface of the lateral sidewall; the set of lateral bristles being oriented normal to the interior surface of the lateral sidewall; and the set of lateral bristles being oriented towards the medial sidewall.
 5. The shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the plurality of bristles comprising a set of bridge bristles; the set of bridge bristles being adjacently connected onto an inner surface of the bridge; the set of bridge bristles being oriented normal to the inner surface of the bridge; and the set of bridge bristles being oriented towards the sole.
 6. The shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators as claimed in claim 1 comprising: at least one medial exfoliator; the medial exfoliator being externally connected onto a medial side of the sole; and the medial exfoliator being extended from the medial sidewall to the bridge.
 7. The shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators as claimed in claim 6, wherein the medial exfoliator is selected from the group consisting of a hard abrasive exfoliator, a medium abrasive exfoliator, a soft abrasive exfoliator, and combination of thereof.
 8. The shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators as claimed in claim 1 comprising: at least one lateral exfoliator; the lateral exfoliator being externally connected onto a lateral side of the sole; and the lateral exfoliator being extended from the lateral sidewall to the bridge.
 9. The shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lateral exfoliator is selected from the group consisting of a hard abrasive exfoliator, a medium abrasive exfoliator, a soft abrasive exfoliator, and combination of thereof.
 10. The shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators as claimed in claim 1 comprising: at least one rear exfoliator; and the rear exfoliator being externally a rear end of the sole.
 11. The shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators as claimed in claim 10, wherein the rear exfoliator is selected from the group consisting of a hard abrasive exfoliator, a medium abrasive exfoliator, a soft abrasive exfoliator, and combination of thereof.
 12. The shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a plurality of massaging mounts; the plurality of massaging mounts being interspaced within a set of sole bristles of the plurality of bristles; the plurality of massaging mounts being adjacently connected onto an upper surface of the sole; and a height of each massaging mount being higher than a height of each sole bristle.
 13. The shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators as claimed in claim 1 comprising: the bridge comprising an outer surface, an inner surface, a soap reservoir, and a plurality of dispensing channels; the soap reservoir traversing into the bridge from the outer surface; and the plurality of dispensing channels traversing into the soap reservoir from the inner surface.
 14. The shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a hanging body; and the hanging body being laterally connected onto a front end of the sole.
 15. The shower sandal with integrated foot cleaners, massagers, and exfoliators as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a plurality of suction cups; and the plurality of suction cups being connected onto a bottom surface of the sole. 